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x A castle was the heart of any claim to land.
It was also the proof that turned a claim into something other men had to answer.
In Westeros, the realm’s laws on new holdings followed the same principle.
Only after a proper castle stood on chartered land would the realm recognize the settler’s legal ownership.
So after arriving at Eagle’s Beak Point, Samwell’s first great task was clear.
He needed a castle.
Only then would he become a lord in truth.
After the midday meal, he summoned the craftsmen from Uplands to discuss construction.
“Lord Greenhand, we made a rough survey of the ground and have an initial plan to present.” The speaker was a craftsman named Vido.
He was past fifty, with grey in his beard and hair, and carried great authority among the men Lord Martyn had sent.
Before they left Uplands, Lord Martyn had taken Samwell by the hand and urged him to protect the old man well.
“Master Vido, please speak.” Samwell respected men who knew their work.
Vido bowed slightly.
“My lord, for a castle worthy of your station, the best place is the northeast corner of the valley.
The ground is higher there and will be safe from the tide.
Two sides rest against the mountain, which saves us two lengths of wall.” He spoke with the confidence of long practice.
“The first plan covers about five acres.
A six-story keep with thirty-eight chambers and two cellars.
Three secondary towers, a stable, a storehouse, three barracks, and four towers of ninety feet each, suitable for heavy scorpions and small catapults.” Samwell listened.
“The curtain wall would be about eighty feet high and twelve feet thick, built in three layers of stone and mortar with rubble fill between.
We could draw seawater into a moat around the walls.” Only when the old craftsman finished did Samwell ask the important question.
“How much?” Vido stroked his beard.
“About seventy thousand gold dragons.” Samwell’s mouth twitched.
“And how long?” “With our current hands, perhaps five years.” His mouth twitched again.
“If I found enough labor?” “At least half a year.
But then the cost would not remain seventy thousand.
It could multiply several times over.” “I see.” Samwell felt marginally better.
He could not wait five years.
By then the White Walkers might be marching, and all of this would be stone and timber built too late.
He needed a place at the table before the realm began to tear itself apart.
The problem was raising that much coin quickly.
More patrons could not solve all of it.
Westeros might have many generous fools, but not enough to hand him a fortune that large.
Still, he did not panic.
He had not come into the mountains empty of plans.
When he told Todd he could fund the domain through lawful business, it had not been empty boasting.
But that could wait.
First, they had to survive.
“Master Vido, since the castle cannot be rushed, we begin with a safe camp.
What do you suggest?” “A simple timber fort, my lord.
First raise a mound of earth and stone near the valley mouth and build a wooden tower on it, with a beacon at the top.
Place three or four lower watchtowers on each side.
Surround the whole with a strong palisade.” Vido pointed toward the entrance.
“A ditch outside will strengthen the defense.
Behind the tower we can build houses, stables, a smithy, and other structures, also of timber.
Such a fort is cheap, quick, and easy to supply from the woods.
Its weaknesses are clear: it is not truly strong, it fears fire, and the realm will not recognize it as the heart of a legal domain.
But as a camp and a first defense, it is more than enough.” Samwell smiled.
“Then I leave it in your hands.” “Yes, my lord.” Vido bowed, then added, “I also have an initial plan for the docks.” “The docks can wait.
Put every hand on the timber fort first.
Build extra huts as well.
Before long, I expect we will have new companions.” “As you command.” When the craftsmen left, Samwell turned to Todd.
“Ser Todd, what do you advise for the camp’s defense?” The matter of Carter still lay between them, but the break had never become open.
On the road, Todd had performed his duties with care.
In the Red Mountains especially, his experience had carried the expedition safely through difficult ground.
Samwell valued his judgment in such matters.
Todd did not hold back.
“Clear the trees around the valley mouth.
Give neither enemies nor beasts cover.
Also, though the wild men did not strike us on the road, they have been following us.
We should send scouts outside the valley each day and learn the surrounding ground.” “Good.” Samwell thought for a moment.
“As for the wild men, we do not attack unless they show hostility first.
If possible, I want to learn where the tribes are and meet their chiefs.” “My lord, the wild men of the Red Mountains will not come to us with goodwill.
They did not attack before only because we had enough soldiers to frighten them.
Do not take them lightly.” “I understand the danger.
But if we can bring even some of them under our rule, the settlement will grow far more easily.” Todd did not argue further.
He went to carry out the orders.
The quiet valley came alive.
Samwell led his own recruits to the shore to catch fish and gather shellfish.
Eagle’s Beak Point lay deep in the Red Mountains, with poor access to outside roads.
Though they had brought livestock and salted meat, those stores had to be spared.
Fortunately, many of the recruits had grown up along the Mander.
Water had fed them before.
They knew how to pull food from it.
By late afternoon, they had piled up a half-man-high mound of fish, crabs, and shellfish.
Samwell was just imagining a feast of grilled seafood when Todd returned grim-faced.
“My lord, trouble.
Men cutting trees outside the valley were attacked.
Three are wounded.
CREATORS’ THOUGHTS TheDevotedReader I hope you enjoyed this chapter.